Page 4 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Sort of like Kikusawa, which is a neighborhood within the city of Keishi.”
“Keishi, Japan?” Candor pointed his finger like he was cocking a gun. “Fan of Eloquence and Kimiko Starmark, are you? I’m a cousin … in a roundabout way.”
“Friend, actually.” Akira had assumed this guy knew who they were, but maybe he was just putting together names and faces. “I want to school with Kimi and Quen.”
With a low whistle to show he was impressed, Candor asked, “Ever see Crossing America?”
Akira shook his head. “Is that another TV show?”
“In its sixth season and going strong. It’s the one with Ash and Tami Sunfletch.”
“Oh! Sure, I know them.” It was the secondhand kind of knowing, since his friends and family had helped pull off their wedding.
“On the show, Ash travels all over, giving good publicity to Amaranthine who are willing to step out, as they say.” Parking in front of a line of concrete posts that barricaded a dead-end street, Candor waved a hand. “There’s a flower shop over there that was featured on their show. Tripled this neighborhood’s popularity.”
A double row of graceful trees lined the street, their arching branches nearly touching over the center. Beneath them were open stalls with long tables under blue and white awnings. In a reserved spot at the end of the row, Akira spotted an antique truck with a logo on its door—RED ROOSTER FARM.
“All this part’s a farmers market.” Candor hopped out and opened the back of the black SUV he’d met them with. It seemed too somber for the scene. Impersonal. “Not much luggage, considering how far you’ve come.”
Juuyu left the vehicle, distractedly remarking, “The rest is arriving later.”
Akira reclaimed his backpack and drifted toward a table piled high with mesh bags of avocados. Another held corn with multi-colored kernels. He’d made it as far as the crates of pumpkins when Juuyu caught up.
“Do not wander off.”
“I have the years to walk unattended,” Akira replied, calm but firm.
“I promised my brother ….”
“After the fact.” Akira treated his travel companion to a long look. “He’s furious with you. And me, for that matter.”
Juuyu’s gaze roved the vicinity. It was hard to tell if he was avoiding eye contact or looking for threats. “We could not wait for his obligations to the Council to reach an end.”
“Because they never will?” Akira asked wryly.
“You agreed to come.”
“Because I wanted to see California. So let me see it!”
“If you are careful.”
Akira caught the sleeve of Juuyu’s suit coat. “I’ll take whatever precautions will put your heart and mind at ease. Within reason.”
Juuyu bowed his head and sighed. “You are too used to getting your way. I am not my brother.”
“Speaking of Suuzu!” Akira brought out his phone. He thumbed to its camera, simultaneously pulling Juuyu down by his necktie. Going up on tiptoe to diminish the remaining height difference, he cheerfully ordered, “Smile!”
While Juuyu didn’t smile, he permitted the manhandling. Only tutted a little as he put his suit back to rights. “Reassure my brother. I will meet you inside the florist shop.”
“The Amaranthine one?”
Juuyu inclined his head. “There is a safehouse here. Very secret. Completely secure.”
“And a ghostly light …?”
“That was not mentioned in my briefing. Ask Sinder.”
“Will do!”
